International Students

Student Profiles

Maria del Consuelo Alzati
(this is my full name) I also go by Marichelo
Age: 22
Area of Study: Contemplative Psychology
Degree in progress: BA
Home country and city: Mexico, Mexico City
Fields of interests: Horses, animals, photography

What brought you to Naropa?
I was going to a university in Mexico City where I was studying psychology,after being there for a while I became very disapointed in the way some of my clases were being taught. I was in my fourth semester when I had the opportunity to visit a mental institution for the mentally ill and see how the system works. What I found there was sad, the psychietrists that were working there were evidently burned out on their jobs. The patients were treated like labels instead of human beings. Although I do not blame the doctors and I understand that their job is not easy I still felt that a piece was missing in their approach to these people. Along the way they had forgoten all about compassion. This is what brought me to Naropa, the search for an education that was interested in teaching its students the meaning of compassion and how to bring that into my own life and interactions with other people.

What are personal goals that you try to accomplish while being at Naropa?
Learn, learn and learn

What is your program about and why did you choose this particular program?
In the Contemplative Psychology program we study western psychology theory along with the eastern perspective of the mind, especifically Buddhist psychology. This is integrated with the concetration of your choice which in my case is Somatic Psychology (studies the connection between the body and the mind) and Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology. I chose to study psychology because I eventually wish to become a therapist and do equine-assisted psychotherapy (a form of therapy where horses help the thearpist in the clients healing process). I chose the two concentrations because the mind, our thoughts, fears and emotions are as important as our body. In our body we store all our experiences, our bodies carry our stories and in order to heal in a more holistic manner the body must also be taken in account.

What has your experience been like as part of the Naropa community?
I have enjoyed my experience immensely, for me studying in a school like Naropa as been very refreshing and I have had a lot of personal growth. As for the community there are many interesting and creative individuals but I definitely think there should be more international students as well as more Latin American students.

What are some challenges you encountered at Naropa University as an international student?
I have felt some culture shock because people in this country are colder, or more individualistic. I have made good friends but most of my friends are from Latin American countries. I would like to change this but it has been a challenge for me to create meaningful relationships with people from this country. I don't think I can really name or point at the exact reason for this but there just seems to be something missing.

Dirk Hust
Age: 23
Area of Study: College Core Program/Contemplative psychology
Degree in progress: BA
Home city and country: Asperg, Germany
Fields of interests: Yoga, outdoors, philosophy, truth, religions, soccer

What brought you to Naropa?
I was working at an international high school in New Zealand. I had friends there that told me about Naropa. After I was looking into the program I was convinced that this is the right school for me. I am very much concerned with my education, therefore it was very hard to find a university that suits me. I am also very interested in Buddhism and meditation. Naropa combines both and I could not imagine a better place for me.

What are personal goals that you try to accomplish while being at Naropa?
Becoming an open and compassionate human being. I want to grow and be able to become a good teacher.

What is your program about and why did you choose this particular program?
I will choose Contemplative Psychology because I think that it offers me the best training and personal growth. It combines both personal experience and outreach to the community.

What has your experience been like as part of the Naropa community?
So far it has been great. Good people, good professors and learning environment.

What are some challenges you encountered at Naropa University as an international student?
I actually did not encounter so much difficulties. I was living in English speaking countries for a year before I came to Naropa. Therefore I had no difficulties with language or American customs.

Do you have a saying or motto that you live by?
"Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be all right."
– Bob Marley

Esther Lilian Fraund
Age: 21
Area of Study: College Core Program/ Contemplative Psychology
Degree in progress: BA
Home city and coutry: Marburg, Germany
Fields of interests: Buddhism, yoga, literature, nature, writing

What brought you to Naropa?
My longing to integrate Buddhism & contemplative practices into daily life, specifically combining it with psychology. The wish to learn more about myself and others and to become more genuine. Basically, my Buddhist path brought me to Naropa.

What are personal goals that you try to accomplish while being at Naropa?

• Learning about myself and others becoming more open-minded and genuine in the way I express myself
• Finding a heart connection with my field of study and hopefully a clear idea of what I am going to do after Naropa
• Deepening my understanding of contemplative practices and gaining inside into different areas of psychology
• Doing something beneficial for others

What is your program about and why did you choose this particular program?
I entered Naropa as a freshman. That means that I have to take two required courses: the First Year Seminar (FYS) and the Writer's Craft class. The FYS class is about literature and the interpretation of it. The writing seminar encourages creative and free writing.

What has your experience been like as part of the Naropa community?
I felt very much welcome from the beginning on. During orientation week I already had the feeling that I can become part of this community very quickly, due to its openess and accomodation. My experience with fellow students has been very nice. I feel like everyone is very kind and gentle and generally inquisitive to make contact.

What are some challenges you encountered at Naropa University as an international student?
I haven't met any challenges yet, in terms of being an international student. Only that there is limited financial aid available for international students.

Do you have a saying or motto that you live by?
Enjoy the present moment—just be.